Film guide for an embossing device

Abstract

A device for transferring an image-forming layer from a transfer film to a printing sheet, including an applicator unit for applying a coating of glue in the form of an image to the printing sheet; and a coating unit including an impression cylinder for guiding the printed sheet with the coating of glue facing away from the impression cylinder, and a pressure roller for guiding the transfer film with the image-forming layer facing away from the pressure roller. The impression cylinder and the pressure roller form a transfer gap therebetween so that the transfer film and the printing sheet are pressed against each other when guided through the transfer gap so that the image-forming layer remains adhered to the printing sheet in the area of the coating of glue and is lifted off from the transfer film after leaving the transfer gap. A process is also disclosed.

1 . A device for transferring an image-forming layer from a transfer film to a printing sheet, the device comprising:
 an applicator unit configured to apply a coating of glue in the form of an image to the printing sheet;   a coating unit comprising:
 an impression cylinder for guiding the printed sheet with the coating of glue facing away from the impression cylinder; and 
 a pressure roller for guiding the transfer film with the image-forming layer facing away from the pressure roller, 
 wherein the impression cylinder and the pressure roller form a transfer gap therebetween so that the transfer film and the printing sheet are pressed against each other when guided through the transfer gap so that the image-forming layer remains adhered to the printing sheet in the area of the coating of glue and is lifted off from the transfer film after leaving the transfer gap; and 
   a film guide device configured to guide the transfer film to the transfer gap.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the film guide device has a guide channel for guiding the transfer film to the transfer gap. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the film guide device comprises at least one film guide element for guiding the transfer film away from the transfer gap. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one film guide element forms a single structural unit removably or adjustably installed in the coating unit or on a printing couple guard. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the film guide device is configured as a single structural unit in the form of a slide-in cassette which is removably, adjustably, or fixedly installed in the coating unit. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising a substrate guide device assigned to a surface of the impression cylinder, the film guide device and the substrate guide device forming a structural unit. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate guide device comprises an impression cylinder blowdown device configured to generate blast air directed at the surface of the impression cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the substrate guide comprises a blowdown device configured to generate blast air under the transfer film and directed at a substrate guided on the surface of the impression cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein the film guide device has a guide channel for guiding the transfer film to the transfer gap, the substrate guide device comprising a blowdown device configured to generate blast air directed into the guide channel and under the transfer film, the guide channel being oriented so that the blast air coming out of the guide channel is directed at a substrate guided on the surface of the impression cylinder. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a separating guide for separating the transfer film from a cardboard on the surface of the impression cylinder before the transfer film enters the transfer gap, the film guide device and the separating guide forming a structural unit. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer film comprises a plurality of partial film webs with a reduced width, the film guide device being configured to feed the plurality of partial film webs side by side to the transfer gap. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the film guide device comprises guide elements for guiding the plurality of partial film webs side by side to the transfer gap. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one film guide element is configured so that an angle of wrap of the transfer film on the pressure roller is adjustable. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein a position of one guide element of the at least one film guide element is adjustable with respect to the transfer gap. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one film guide element comprises a guide roller arranged at an adjustable position with respect to the transfer gap, or a pair of guide rollers, each of which is arranged at an adjustable position with respect to the transfer gap. 
     
     
         16 . A device for transferring an image-forming layer from a transfer film to a printing sheet, the device comprising:
 an applicator unit configured to apply a coating of glue in the form of an image to the printing sheet;   a coating unit comprising:
 an impression cylinder for guiding the printed sheet with the coating of glue facing away from the impression cylinder; and 
 a pressure roller for guiding the transfer film with the image-forming layer facing away from the pressure roller, 
 wherein the impression cylinder and the pressure roller form a transfer gap therebetween so that the transfer film and the printing sheet are pressed against each other when guided through the transfer gap so that the image-forming layer remains adhered to the printing sheet in the area of the coating of glue and is lifted off from the transfer film after leaving the transfer gap; and 
   a transport device for pulling in a forward end of the transfer film along a guide path into the transfer gap and then out of the transfer gap.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising a connector connecting the forward end of the transfer film to the transport device, the connector being detachably connected to the forward end of the transfer film. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the connector comprises two magnetic foil layers sandwiching the forward end of the transfer film therebetween. 
     
     
         19 . A process for feeding a film web into a coating unit, the coating unit comprising a pressure roller and an impression cylinder, the pressure roller and the impression cylinder forming an open guide gap therebetween, the process comprising the steps of:
 taking a forward end of the film web from a film supply roll;   connecting the forward end of the film web to a threading-in device or a transport device;   feeding the threading-in device or the transport device into a film guide device;   guiding the forward end of the film web through the film guide device and the guide gap by movement of the threading-in device or the transport device;   guiding the forward end of the film web out of the coating unit after exiting the guide gap; and   guiding the forward end of the film web to a film take-up roll.